Ceiling fan mounting apparatus background of the invention

ABSTRACT

A ceiling fan mounting apparatus includes a mounting unit and a cover member covering the mounting unit. The mounting unit includes a base member for being mounted to a ceiling, and a support bracket for being connected with the ceiling fan. By combining the mounting unit and the cover member to form the mounting apparatus, the structure of the mounting apparatus is simplified and the aesthetic of the overall appearance of the ceiling fan is increased.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatuses for mounting ceiling fans, and more particularly to one of such mounting apparatuses which has a simplified structure and can improve the aesthetic of an overall appearance of the ceiling fan.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Taiwan Patent Issue No. 581,166 discloses a mounting apparatus for a ceiling fan. The mounting apparatus mainly includes a support base and an outer frame. An inner frame is sandwiched between the support base and the outer frame. The inner frame forms a plurality of pin holes and reinforcement ribs, evenly arranged at a top portion of an inside of the inner frame. A plurality of headed pins is held in the pin holes respectively. The shape of an inside of the outer frame corresponds to the shape of an outside of the inner frame. A pair of clasps extends inwardly from a top edge of the outer frame, for clasping the inner frame. The support base at its outmost circumferential periphery forms a plurality of through holes corresponding to the headed pins of the inner frame, respectively. In assembly, head portions of the headed pins are engaged in the through holes respectively, thereby joining the inner frame with the support base.

Ceiling fans using the mounting apparatus disclosed in the above patent can generally bring an aesthetic overall appearance. However, the outer frame in the mounting assembly serves to support the ceiling fan. Therefore, the outer frame must be a metal piece to ensure a sufficient mechanical strength thereof, and can not be made from low cost materials such as plastics. In addition, in the mounting apparatus disclosed above, a decorative ring is usually required to cover joining portions of the support base and the outer frame. Otherwise, the joining portions exposed outside will affect the aesthetic of the overall appearance of the ceiling fan. However, the use of the decorative ring will increase elements to the mounting assembly and thus increase the manufacturing cost thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to simplify the structure of the mounting apparatus of the ceiling fan and improve the aesthetic of the overall appearance of the ceiling fan by combining a mounting unit and a cover member to form the mounting apparatus.

To achieve the object set forth above, the mounting apparatus of the ceiling fan according to the present invention includes a mounting unit and a cover member covering the mounting unit. The mounting unit includes a base member for being mounted to a ceiling, and a support bracket for being connected with the ceiling fan.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a ceiling fan mounting apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross section view showing a use state of the mounting apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the mounting apparatus for a ceiling fan in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a mounting unit 1 and a cover member 2. By combining the mounting unit 1 and the cover member 2 to form the mounting apparatus, the structure of the mounting apparatus is simplified and the aesthetic of the overall appearance of the ceiling fan is improved.

The mounting unit 1 comprises a base member 11 for being mounted to a ceiling, and a support bracket 12 extending from the base member 11 for being connected with the ceiling fan. A plurality of mounting holes 111 is defined in the base member 11. Cutouts 13 are defined in the base member 11 at one edge thereof. A through opening 121 is defined in the support bracket 12 at a center portion thereof.

The cover member 2 is made of plastic material, and is attached to and cover the mounting unit 1. A through hole 21 is defined in a center portion of the cover member 2, corresponding to the through opening 121 of the support bracket 12. The cover member 2 forms a plurality of clasps 22 at an edge thereof, corresponding to the cutouts 13 of the base member 11.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, in assembly, a plurality of fixing members 3 extends through the mounting holes 111 of the base member 11 of the mounting unit 1 and into the ceiling 4, whereby the mounting unit 1 is fixed to the ceiling 4. Then, a downrod 51 of the ceiling fan 5 is extended through the through hole 21 of the cover member 2 into the through opening 121 of the support bracket 12, and is connected with the support bracket 12. Finally, the clasps 22 of the cover 2 are nested in respective cutouts 13 of the base member 11, and the cover 2 is rotated with respect to the base member 11 so that the clasps 22 clasp the circumferential edge of the base member 11. Therefore, the cover member 2 is attached to and covers the whole structure of the mounting unit 1. Decorative rings are not required to cover joining portions of the mounting unit 1 and the cover member 2. Therefore, the present invention can simplify the structure of the mounting apparatus and improve the aesthetic of the overall appearance of the ceiling fan.

In general, the present invention can address various defects in the prior arts. By combining the mounting unit 1 and the cover member 2 to form the mounting apparatus of the ceiling fan, the structure of the mounting apparatus is simplified, and the aesthetic of the overall appearance of the ceiling fan is improved as well.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

1. A mounting apparatus for a ceiling fan, comprising: a mounting unit comprising a base member for being mounted to a ceiling, and a support bracket for being connected with the ceiling fan, the support bracket extending from the base member; and a cover member attached to the mounting unit and covering the mounting unit.
 2. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member of the mounting unit defines a plurality of cutouts for joining of the cover member and the mounting unit.
 3. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member defines a plurality of mounting holes, and is fixed to the ceiling by a plurality of fixing members engaged in the mounting holes.
 4. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support bracket defines a through opening at a center portion thereof, and the ceiling fan comprises a downrod extending into the through opening and connected with the support bracket.
 5. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is made of plastic material.
 6. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover at one edge thereof forms a clasp engaged with the base member. 